• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.129-134
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• 2002

The aim of this study is to present the basic reference data of age and specipic gait parameters for Hemiplegia Patients. The basic gait parameters were extracted from 10 Adult Hemiplegia Patients, 5 left Hemiplegia Patients and 5 right Hemiplegia Patients, 50 to 60 years of age using VICON 512 Motion Analyzer. The results were as follows; 1) The mean Cadence of the left to the right hemiplegia were $75.81{\pm}28.10\;steps/min$, to $68.47{\pm}9.93\;steps/min$. 2) The mean Walking Speed of the left to the right hemiplegia were $0.45{\pm}0.28\;m/s$, to $0.44{\pm}0.14\;m/s$. 3) The mean Stride Length of the left to the right hemiplegia were $0.66{\pm}0.31\;m$, to $0.76{\pm}0.17m$. 4) The mean. maximal angles of joint on the pelvic tilt for different right or left hemiplegia were $8.59{\pm}5.13^{\circ}$, to $11.85{\pm}5.23^{\circ}$.(p>0.05) 5) The mean maximal angles of joint on the hip flexion motion for different right or left hemiplegia were $23.98{\pm}8.45^{\circ}$, to $25.81{\pm}5.39^{\circ}$.(p>0.05) 6) The mean maximal angles of joint on the knee flexion motion for different right or left hemiplegia were $29.52{\pm}10.24^{\circ}$, to $28.38{\pm}14.48^{\circ}$.(p>0.05) 7) The mean maximal angles of joint on the ankle dorsiflexion motion for different right or left hemiplegia were $14.68{\pm}5.03^{\circ}$, to $9.90{\pm}7.26^{\circ}$.(p>0.05) 8) The mean maximal angles of joint on the ankle plantarflexion motion for different right or left hemiplegia were $2.10{\pm}5.17^{\circ}$, to $8.63{\pm}5.81^{\circ}$.(p>0.05)

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.227-238
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects on using Virtual reality exercise program($Wii-Fit^{TM}$) for dynamic balance and walking ability in patients with stroke. Methods : The 22 subjects were randomly selected from the patients of the S hospital who met the study conditions. They were divided into a $Wii-Fit^{TM}$ balance game group of 12 patients and a conventional physical therapy group of 10 patients. The $Wii-Fit^{TM}$ balance game group received $Wii-Fit^{TM}$ balance game group general physiotherapy for 5 days a weeks, 30 minutes a day, for a 4 weeks and the conventional physical therapy group received general physiotherapy for the same period. The subjects were measured and compared for Brunel balance assessment, functional gait assessment, 6 minute walk test, GAITRite system before and after the program. Results : The experimental group tend to improve more than control group in shifting the weight to the affected side(p=0.040) and tap test(p<0.001). The experimental group tend to improve more than control group in FGA(p=0.016). The experimental group improved significantly more than control group in 6MWT(p=0.008). The experimental group improved significantly more than control group in gait speed, cadence, stride length. Conclusions : Virtual Reality program($Wii-Fit^{TM}$) with conventional physical therapy shows the benefits on dynamic balance and gait parameters in patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to identify the effect of suspension unloading (SU) and electrical stimulation upon the development of neonatal muscular system. For this study, the neonatal rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, an experimental group I, and an experimental group II. The SU for experimental group I and II was applied from postnatal day (PD) 5 to PD 30. The electrical stimulation for soleus muscle of experimental group IIwas applied from PD 16 to PD 30 using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), which gave isometric contraction with 10 pps for 30 minutes twice a day. In order to observe the effect of SU and ES, this study observed myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoreactivity in the soleus muscles at PD 15 and PD 30. In addition, the motor behavior test was performed through footprint analysis at PD 30. The following is the result. At PD 15, the soleus muscles of experimental group Iand II had significantly lower MEF2C, VEGF immunoreactivity than the control group. It proved that microgravity conditions restricted the development of the skeletal muscle cells at PD 15. At PD 30, soleus muscles of the control group and experimental group II had significantly higher MEF2C, VEGF, immunoreactivity than experimental group I. It proved that the NMES facilitated the development of the skeletal muscle cells. At PD 30, it showed that SU caused the decrease in stride length of parameter of gait analysis and an increase in toe-out angle, and that the NMES decreased these variations. These results suggest that weight bearing during neonatal developmental period is essential for muscular development. They also reveal that NMES can encourage the development of muscular systems by fully supplementing the effect of weight bearing, which is an essential factor in the neonatal developmental process.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 2011

Background: The elderly are likely to fall due to physical and mental atrophies, and experiencing falls may result in fear of falls and lack of self-confidence, which also leads to hesitation to physical activities and changes in walk and balance, the major variables in independent daily life. Methods: In three senior citizen centers located in D city, 22 elderly women aged 65 or older were chosen, and they filled in the questionnaire which included their agreement to voluntarily participate in the survey and medical histories. As to whether they had falls experience, the medical history items in the questionnaire asked them if they had falling down or falls once a year, twice for the three years. The objects were divided to NFE (non-falls experience) and FE (falls experience). Results: 1. As to walking abilities, significant difference was found between NFE and FE regarding walk width, stepping with two feet, and stride length while there was no significant different in terms of cadence. 2. As to balancing abilities, was significant difference between NFE and FE in terms of the physical body center area. As to the sit-to-stand, tandom gait test, no significant difference was found, and neither in the timed up and go test. Conclusions: The elderly with falls experience has inferior walking and balancing abilities to those without falls experience, and thus they are more exposed to the risks of falls.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.23-31
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of high-heeled shoes on walking of obese women as it was already proven an extrinsic factor of knee osteoarthritis in women with normal weight. In this study the aimed therefore in particular was to utilize high-heeled shoes in proving it's causal influence on knee osteoarthritis by measuring the angle and torque of the knee joint. Fifteen obese women (BMI>25 $kg/m^2$) were measured in their twenties. Each angle and torque of their knee joints during walking on 6.5 cm high-heeled shoes and with a bare feet, were compared with each other and analyzed with a 3D motion analysis system. There was no significant difference in walking speed, cadence and stride length between the two conditions. However, there was a significant increase in a double limb support time and the stance phase when walking on high-heeled shoes as when walking with bare feet. The peak knee flexion angle and peak knee varus torque was higher when walking on high-heeled shoes than with bare feet. On the contrary, the peak knee flexion angle in the swing phase was not statistically different. The prolongation of peak knee varus torque was also proven. There was a significant increase in peak knee varus torque in the initial and last stance phases during walking on high-heeled shoes as compared to walking on bare feet. Through the above results, it was proven that when obese women walked on high-heeled shoes, rather than with bare feet, peak knee flexor and varus torque increased along with the changes of the in knee joint angle. Therefore, the influence of high-heeled shoes might be a significant intrinsic factor in knee osteoarthritis of obese women.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.528-535
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• 2000

Objective : To investigate objectively the postoperative improvement of gait disturbance in patients with cervical myelopathy through a gait analysis. Patients and Methods : Ten patients who underwent cervical decompression and fusion for cervical myelopathy caused by spondylosis, OPLL, or concomitant hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum were studied. Preoperatively, gait disturbance was present in all patients. The patients were evaluated by gait analysis using three dimensional motion analyzer to collect data of linear and kinematic parameters before surgery, 1 week and 3 months after surgery. Statistical analysis of the related pre-and post-operative data were performed. Results : In the linear parameters, average value of cadence, walking speed, stride length, step time, width and double support were increased postoperatively compare to preoperative value. In the kinematic parameters, average value of knee flexion during initial swing phase, plantar flexion of ankle and range of motion of hip joint were increased as well. These differences were statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study suggests that gait analysis can be used as a method of quantitative analysis of postoperative gait improvement in patients with cervical myelopathy.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 2021

The purpose of this case report is to describe the effectiveness of Korean medicine in the treatment of gait disturbance in advanced stage multiple system atrophy-cerebellar type (MSA-C). This inpatient was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmaco-acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and chuna therapy. The gait disturbance was assessed by Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale(UMSARS), Tinnetti test, and 16m walking spatial features. After treatment, UMSARS Part I score was enhanced, decreasing from 29 to 24, Part II score from 34 to 18. Tinetti test score increased from 7 to 20. Gait stride length increased and width decreased. This study suggests that Korean medical treatment could be an effective treatment for delaying the progress of gait disturbance in advanced-stage MSA-C patients.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate effects of a stim-up matt walking exercise program on balance and gait of the frail elderly. Methods: A total of 37 elderly people recruited from S city were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=22) and control group (n=15). The stim-up matt walking exercise program was offered twice a week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21.0. Results: The dynamic balance ability Timed Up and Go test of the experimental group was significantly faster than that of the control group (t=21.72, p<.001). The static balance ability open-eye standing test (t=44.15, p<.001) and close-eye standing test (t=9.01, p=.005) also showed increase in effects of the experimental group. In the walking ability, gait cycle (t=2.48, p=.018), cadence (t=-2.21, p=.034) and gait speed (t=-2.78, p=.009), positive effects were on. However, no statistically significant differences were found in stride length and double support. At the ankle joint range left ankle plantar flexion (t=3.92, p<.001) and left ankle dorsal flexion (t=4.51, p<.001) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group, and also right ankle plantar flexion (t=2.79, p=.008) and right ankle dorsal flexion (t=2.92, p=.006) increased in the experimental group. Conclusion: The significance of this study is that the stim-up matt walking exercise program for the frail elderly proves to be useful for improving balance and walking.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.145-155
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the physical characteristics (bone mineral density, joint muscle strength) and running biomechanics between older adults and young adult runners to understand the changes of running strategy by aging. Method: Bone mineral density (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, USA) of lower lower extremity and muscle strength (Cybex Humac Norm [DEXA], CSMI, USA) were measured to identify the physical characteristics of 10 elderly (age: $67.70{\pm}3.30yrs$, height: $1.68{\pm}0.04m$, mass: $67.70{\pm}3.80kg$) and 10 young adults (age: $21.20{\pm}0.42yrs$, height: $1.73{\pm}0.06m$, mass: $72.11{\pm}4.15kg$). Running data was collected by using an instrumented treadmill (Bertec, USA) and 7 infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualisys, Sweden). Two-way repeated ANOVA analysis was used to analyze results at a significant level of .05 with Bonferroni post hoc analysis. Results: Compared to the young adult group, the elderly group showed statistically significant difference in physical characteristics and in running characteristics. Elderly runners showed lower BMD and muscle strength compared with young runners (p<.05). In the running parameters, elderly runners tend to show shorter contact time and stride length compared with young runners (p<.05). In the joint angles, elderly runners showed smaller range of ankle motion compared with young runners (p<.05). Finally, elderly runners showed lower level of joint moment, joint power, and GRF compared with young runners in each running speed (p<.05). Conclusion: The running behavior of the elderly performed periodic running was similar to many variables of young adults. However, there were noticeable differences found in the ankle joints and most kinetic variables compared with young adult runners. This discrepancy may propose that elderly runners should consider appropriate running distance and intensity in the program.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.440-452
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine if an 8-week therapeutic riding (TR) program was effective in improving the walking ability of students with intellectual disabilities. Thirteen students diagnosed with intellectual disabilities participated in the TR program. TR sessions were conducted twice a week (30 min per session), with a total of 16 rides taking place over an 8-week period. A gait measurement analyzer was used to measure progress based on a turn test (6-m walking and turning test), walk test (10-m walking), and timed up and go (TUG) test. Measurements were made three times: before horse-riding (P0), after 4 weeks (8 rides) of horse-riding (P1), and after 8 weeks (16 rides) of horse-riding (P2). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software (ver. 22.0). Descriptive statistics were generated on the general characteristics of the subjects, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to verify the normality of the data. Because of the lack of normality, the data were analyzed using a nonparametric method and the significance level was set to 0.05. Measurements of the duration of the forward gait cycle (s) in the turn test and the forward gait speed (m/s) in the walk test indicated improved walking ability after the TR program (p < 0.001); the stride length (% height) also increased significantly (p < 0.05). The walk test revealed a significant effect of the program on the duration of the forward gait cycle (p < 0.05), while there were significant improvements on the left and right of the elaborated strides (p < 0.001). No significant improvement in TUG test performance was observed after the TR program. In this study, an 8-week TR program had positive results on gait. Therefore, further research is merited, where TR programs are likely to improve the walking ability of individuals with intellectual disabilities.